The Cardinals reportedly have joined the horse race for free agent pitcher Roger Clemens, who is already being pursued by the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros. He is currently in Astros camp pitching to the minor league players, but hasn't ruled out a return to any team. The Cardinals, who are very short on pitching and still have money to spend, could afford Clemens for one year, if he is willing to accept something less than eighteen to nineteen million. General manager Walt Jocketty met with agent Alan Hendricks at length Monday; however, Jocketty had someone pessimistic views of the meeting. "I guess you would always have interest in a guy like that," he said. "He's someone we've expressed interest in before. I'm not sure it would be mutual, though. There are so many factors involved it would be pretty tough to do any deal with them. You never know." Hendricks also represents Cardinals Kip Wells and Braden Looper.

The Twins and Jesse Crain have agree to a three year deal through 2009. At first glance, Crain's numbers are not worthy of a three year deal (4-5, 3.52 ERA,60 K). However, he pitched in 68 games with a low ERA, and ended his season with a 2-0 W-L, and a 0.38 ERA (23.2 IP). He proved that he can put solid innings together no matter where in the season, and could possibly see some time as a starter this year. He is still young, 25, and shows great potential after going 12-5 in 2005, and being able to keep his ERA down in 2006 with plenty of appearances.

The Yankees announced Bobby Abreu will be out for two to three weeks with a strained oblique. The injury happened during batting practice at Legends Field. "It's just one of those things," Torre said. "I guess the good news is that it's early and you can afford a couple of weeks right now." Torre shot down any ideas that Bernie Williams will be back with the team. Abreu was .297 with 15 HR and 107 RBI with the Phillies and Yankees last season. Johnny Damon also returned to Yankees camp after missing two days for personal reasons.

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The Nationals and Ronnie Belliard have agreed to a minor league (not guaranteed) that will pay him 750,000 dollars if he makes the team. "It gives us protection in the middle, flexibility in the middle, depth." "We feel it gives us protection in the middle of the diamond going into spring training, plus a good right-handed bat off the bench, which is something this club needed," general manager Jim Bowden said. Belliard hit .272 with 13 HR and 67 RBI. This is a great move for the Nationals: Belliard has proven he can consistently hit compiling a .272 career average. He also can hit a significant amount of home runs. He has proven that he can hit a good amount of home runs for his size with 42 home runs and 215 RBI over the past three years. With the Nationals going with Guzman and Lopez up the middle, Belliard provides a lot of depth that in case one gets hurt, or plays poorly, he can step in and do his job effectively.

Angels pitcher Jered Weaver experienced some tightness in his throwing shoulder and the Angels are going to shelf him for the next couple of weeks. Although this comes as a surprise to some of the Angels staff, Weaver says this feeling has come up before. "The way I throw, it's going to be an issue — I've had it since high school," he said. "It sticks around for a long time, and it's a matter of knocking it out. With my long mechanics and different arm slot, I put a little more stress on my shoulder." In his rookie season, Weaver was 11-2 with a 2.56 ERA and 105 K. The Angels also held KelvimEscobar and Francisco Rodriguez out of fielding drills because Escobar felt tightness in his left knee and Rodriguez had a sore hamstring.

One of the biggest position battles set to take place in Cleveland ended before it even started. Keith Foulke and Joe Borowski were contending for the spot, but now it appears Borowski will take it. Foulke, who was the favorite to get the closer role, was set to make a guaranteed salary of five million dollars. Whether he retired because of injuries or because he had enough, Foulke will go down as one of the key players that brought a World Series to Boston in 2004. Foulke has a career record of 41-34 with a 3.30 ERA and 190 SV with the White Sox, Giants, A's, and Red Sox.